Good Things Come In Small Packages

New England SteamWorks

Working on a one-pipe system with two mains and a counter-flow branch. Going through the darkness to find the end of the counterflow main in search of a vent I found instead a coin vent/bleeder. That was a first. I can see why perhaps they thought about using it (even though it could never work): No headroom. Just a few inches before the lath, which probably had plaster on it when this "vent" was installed.

New England SteamWorks

Not a particularly long branch, so the 1/4" taping would suffice and there'd be no need to drag out the 700. Still, not much headroom! The lath could be cut away, but who enjoys that mess?

New England SteamWorks

And then I thought of Peter and his new Vari-Vent. The little vent that could. Big vent, small package. Thank-you Peter! (though I would consider putting a tiny hex key / wrench in the box for the adjustment if I owned Barnes & Jones .

Steamhead

That's probably a hygroscopic vent, which some attempt to use on steam- we take them off and put on real vents.